The year 2000 has come, Y2K concerns have come and gone
- and Southern Baptists continue to give strong support to international
missions.
Some things change. Some do not.
The year 2000 has come, Y2K concerns have come and
gone - and Southern Baptists continue to give strong support to international
missions.
Some things change. Some do not.
Once again, Louisiana and Southern Baptists have
set records for giving through the Lottie Moon Christimas Offering for International
Missions. The offering runs on a June 1-to-May 31 basis each year - and recently
closed.
In Louisiana, gifts totaled $3,330,594.49, a record
high and an increase of more than $135,000 (4.2 percent) from last year.
The total represents the fourth straight year state
receipts have topped $3 million - and the 13th consecutive increase in Lottie
Moon giving by Louisiana Baptists.
It also means that in the decade of the 1990s, Louisiana
Baptists gave a little more than $29 million to support Southern Baptist missions
efforts around the world.
Their gifts this year helped Southern Baptists overall
as well, who set another record by giving more than $105 million through the
annual Lottie Moon offering.
The total for the 1999 … [Read more...]

Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious freedom,
affirming that right for all persons and
outlining their commitment to share the gospel with "biblical love."
Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious
freedom, affirming that right for all persons and
outlining their commitment to share the gospel with "biblical love."
The Chicago Declaration of Religious Freedom was
initiated by Southern Baptist leaders in light of recent criticism about evangelistic
efforts. It has been endorsed by several dozen evangelical leaders.
The declaration notes that freedom to share ones
religious beliefs is a basic liberty. "Yet confusion has arisen over the
efforts of some Christian believers, ministries, and denominations to make Christ
known to members of other faith communities," the statement adds. "Some
contend that these efforts undermine a peaceful, pluralistic society and may
lead to intolerance, bigotry, and even violence.
"As followers of Jesus Christ representing numerous
denominations and religious organizations, we affirm that:
"Only a society that permits free discourse
within the robust marketplace of ideas envisioned by Americas founders
can safeguard the true … [Read more...]

I have some reservations about a point or two in the revised
Baptist Faith and Message. My principal concern lies with language in the article
on the doctrine of salvation.
I have some reservations about a point or two in
the revised Baptist Faith and Message. My principal concern lies with language
in the article on the doctrine of salvation. The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message
contained language that was theologically unclear at best. It has been carried
over into the revision.
I had the opportunity to discuss this with Dr. Hobbs
before his death. On that occasion, we also talked about the term "soul
competency." I wanted to know where the terminology came from. To my astonishment,
Dr. Hobbs told me he invented the term. He said he first used it in an introduction
for an edition of "The Axioms of the Christian Religion," by E. Y.
Mullins. Dr. Hobbs could have been wrong about that, but I have never seen the
term in older works. It is hard to imagine that Baptist theologians like James
Boyce and John Dagg or preachers like Charles Spurgeon would use such a term.
They believed in the incompetence of man, not in his competence before God.
They believed we do not become spiritually competent until the Lord renews … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists past and present were well represented in
the recent election of International Mission Board trustee officers.
Louisiana Baptists past and present were well represented
in the recent election of International Mission Board trustee officers.
Dr. Timothy McCoy, pastor of Ingleside Baptist Church
in Macon, Georgia was elected as chair of the board of trustees. McCoy defeated
Dr. Alan Day, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Edmond, Okla. by a margin
of two votes. Both McCoy and Day are graduates of Louisiana College. Day graduated
from Louisiana College in 1969, and McCoy graduated in 1979. Day is originally
from Bogalusa, and McCoy came to Louisiana College by way of Kenner. Day received
the doctor of theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
in l979. While he was a student at Louisiana College, McCoy did some of his
first preaching at the First Baptist Church of Basile. While he was at Louisiana
College, Day was pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Bunkie. While he was
at New Orleans Seminary, he was pastor of the Grays Creek Baptist Church
in Denham Springs.
Diane Reeder of Shreveport was elected recording
secretary. Affectionately known as Pinkie, she is a member … [Read more...]

I concur with your editorial suggesting a year should elapse
between the presentation of the report on the Baptist Faith and Message and
the time messengers vote. I fear many messengers will not have seen the report
and will not have studied the document. An issue of this importance deserves
a one-year delay.
I concur with your editorial suggesting a year should
elapse between the presentation of the report on the Baptist Faith and Message
and the time messengers vote. I fear many messengers will not have seen the
report and will not have studied the document. An issue of this importance deserves
a one-year delay.
In spite of the fact that the committee has claimed
to have great respect for the preamble of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message
and their efforts to retain much of that significant part, I am concerned that
the paragraph in the 1963 statement about the souls competency before
God and the priesthood of the believer has been omitted. So important was that
to the 1963 committee that chairman Dr. Herschel Hobbs wrote a large portion
of his first chapter in The Baptist Faith and Message study book about
that doctrine. He referred to Baptists belief about the souls competency
and priesthood of the … [Read more...]

It seems to me all the writing to our senators and representatives
hasnt done much good.
It seems to me all the writing to our senators and
representatives hasnt done much good.
Perhaps all the readers against gamb-ling should
pray to God to somehow rid us of gambling. Seems impossible with so many gambling
places. With God nothing is impossible.
People need to ask God to rid them of this idea of
getting rich having this so-called fun. All gambling causes is ruined lives.
An empty life. Just look how messy things are 
Adam and Eve and the apple.
Well never learn will we?
God have mercy on us.
Dorothy Sanders
Jonesboro
It seems to me all the writing to our senators and representatives
hasnt done much good.
It seems to me all the writing to our senators and
representatives hasnt done much good.
Perhaps all the readers against gamb-ling should
pray to God to somehow rid us of gambling. Seems impossible with so many gambling
places. With God nothing is impossible.
People need to ask God to rid them of this idea of
getting rich having this so-called fun. All gambling causes is ruined lives.
An empty life. Just look how messy things are 
Adam and Eve and the apple.
Well … [Read more...]

On behalf of the entire membership of the Clearwater Bay International
Baptist Church in Hong Kong, I say a heartfelt Thank You!
On behalf of the entire membership of the Clearwater
Bay International Baptist Church in Hong Kong, I say a heartfelt Thank You!
Through your generous giving, the Clearwater Bay
International Baptist Chapel was begun in 1993. Our first two pastors and their
wives were International Mission Board personnel. We became financially independent
in 1998 and continued into an independent church last May. As we celebrate our
one-year anniversary, we are reminded of faithfulness of our brothers and sisters
in the States.
We are located next to a large university campus
where over 700 scholars from mainland China are studying. Among other ministries,
in the last two years we have baptized and discipled eight new believers from
the mainland. So much more needs to be done. Many other scholars attend our
studies and services, earnestly seeking the truth. We are blessed that in Hong
Kong we are completely free to share the gospel and live in a vibrant community
of faith. Each Sunday some 100 people from 18 different countries gather to
celebrate our common life in Christ.
Cooperative … [Read more...]

In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish school board passed
a policy requiring public school teachers to tell students that lessons
on evolution were "not intended to influence or dissaude the biblical vision
of creation."
This month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal
that would have kept that policy in place.
In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish school board passed
a policy requiring public school teachers to tell students that lessons
on evolution were "not intended to influence or dissaude the biblical vision
of creation."
This month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal
that would have kept that policy in place.
By a 6-3 vote, the high court decided not to review
the appeal by the Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education concerning its 1994 policy.
Several parents of children in the school district had sued, arguing the disclaimer
violated the so-called "wall of separation" between church and state.
A federal judge struck down the policy, a ruling
that was upheld by a U.S. appeals court. The federal judge said the disclaimer
was unconstitutional because it had a religious purpose. The appeals court struck
it down for a different reason, declaring it had the effect of promoting religion.
The six … [Read more...]

As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected
James Merritt, as denominational president last week.
Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President
Tommy French to serve as their second vice president.
Merritt was unopposed.
As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers
elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week.
Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention
President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president.
Merritt was unopposed. He is pastor at First Baptist
Church of Snellville, Ga.
He was nominated by Texas Baptist pastor Jack Graham,
who characterized Merritt as a "consensus" candidate.
Merritt should be elected because he is connected
to the power of God, Graham said. "I believe that he is anointed and appointed
for this strategic ministry by the sovereign grace and will of God."
A Georgia native, Merritt has served as pastor of
his 12,000-member Atlanta-area church since 1985. During his tenure, the congregation
has baptized 7,826 people and seen average Sunday School attendance grow from
800 to 3,250.
Merritt is the first baby boomer to be elected to
the denominational post. In a news conference following his … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session
- but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward
warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming
special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because
legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session.
The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000
regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains,
Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful -
of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary
because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed
session.
And the gambling lobby is expected to act in full
force during that session for favorable legislation that would give them an
even stronger hold on the state, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana
Moral and Civic Foundation.
"The thought of a special session by an obviously
pro-gambling Legislature is a scary thought for any in our state who are still
thinking," Ward insisted.
"Concerned citizens should get ready and be
prepared to do what they can … [Read more...]

Search

Editorial

By Steve Horn
Corinth was by all historical accounts a very wicked place. When Paul established a church there, he was establishing a church in the midst of one of the most difficult cities of his day.
When we move to the letters called 1 and 2 Corinthians, we realize that the struggle in Corinth continued. … Continue Reading.